Lawmakers insisted he wasn't serious about it, even though he told NBC News he's "not joking" about wanting another term, which is barred under the 22nd Amendment.

Top Republicans in Congress are dismissing out of hand President Trump's suggestion that he is "not joking" about running for a third term. Why it matters: While they didn't push back forcefully, Republicans are at least clear-eyed about the severe Constitutional and political hurdles the president would face.